South Africa’s open letter to Zuma: You’ve been warned, Mr President

Industry and community leaders from across the country have lashed out at Jacob Zuma’s lack of direction and ‘style’ of governing, following the redeployment of Nhlanhla Nene and the chaos that followed.

In an open letter, penned as ‘concerned citizens’, the contributors, including Drs Mills Soko, Reuel Khoza, Mzukisi Qobo as well as professors Barney Pityana and Maxi Schoeman; write to JZ telling him that “many of your decisions are detrimental to the interests of the people”.

“We write to you as concerned citizens in our private capacities, convinced this letter’s message is shared by millions of South Africans.

“We are alarmed by your statement on the appointment of [a] new finance minister. The rand has reached its lowest levels. Tough economic times demand unity of purpose and steadfastness in leadership. We do not think . removing Nhlanhla Nene, in the current economic climate, was prudent.”

According to TimesLive, the authors make it clear that nothing in Zuma’s statement “convinces us, Mr President, that what you call his ‘deployment to another strategic position’ will, as the Constitution enjoins you, advance our national interests and the welfare of the country.”

They add that their opinions are the products of a ‘climate of waning public confidence in the government’.

“Many developments have poisoned our political climate, such as:

The wasteful and corrupt expenditure on your private residence at Nkandla;

Strained relations between the executive and the judiciary;

Financial and corporate governance challenges faced by state-owned enterprises such as the SA Post Office and SAA; and

“Your decision to remove Nene has already sent negative signals to the local economy and to the international investor community. The damage to the credibility of the country may take years or even decades to reverse.”

The letter finishes off with a solemn warning: “We are mindful that we have no power to remove you, but we would like you to know leaders who take citizens for granted do so at their peril. In the end, citizens prevail.”